The Best Way to Take College Notes on a Laptop: A 2025 Perspective
- remio
- Apr 29
- 10 min read
Taking notes on a laptop is now super helpful for students. In 2025, it’s not just about typing fast—it’s about using tools that help you learn better. Digital note-taking is growing quickly, with the market worth $935.3 million this year. Apps are getting smarter, helping you stay neat and even do better in school. Studies show that the best way to take notes in college on a laptop can raise test scores by 13%, especially with good study habits. If you want to know the best way to take notes on a laptop in college, you’re in the right place. Let’s make note-taking easier and smarter!
Key Takeaways
Using a laptop for notes can help you do better in school. Research shows good notes can boost test scores by 13%.
Try methods like the Cornell Method or mind mapping. These ways make it easier to remember and understand.
Pick a note-taking app that works for you. Apps like Remio and Notion help you stay organized and learn more.
Focus in class by turning off alerts and blocking websites. This keeps you on track and helps you take good notes.
Go over your notes after class often. Reviewing helps you remember and get ready for tests.
Is Taking Notes in College Helpful?
Taking notes in college isn’t just about writing stuff down. It helps you understand and remember lessons better. About 70% of students like using pen and paper because it feels easier and keeps them focused. But now, laptops and digital tools let you write faster and stay organized. Whether you’re writing quick ideas or detailed outlines, note-taking can improve your grades.
Best Way to Take Notes in College on A Laptop?
You might think, “Why take notes at all?” Well, notes help you understand classes and study for tests. Research shows students who review notes do better on exams. For example:
Students with notes during tests remember more.
Reviewing your notes and teacher’s notes improves scores.
Organized notes help you recall more in exams.
Taking notes also keeps you focused in class. Instead of daydreaming, you’re paying attention to what the teacher says. Later, reviewing your notes is like hearing the lesson again in your own words.
How Can You Take Good Notes in College?
Good notes don’t just happen—you need the right methods. Here are some popular ways:
Outline Method: Use bullet points to keep things simple and tidy.
Cornell Method: Split your page into sections for notes, keywords, and summaries. It helps with studying later.
Boxing Method: Put related ideas in boxes. This works well if you like visuals.
Mind Maps: Start with one idea in the middle and connect others. It’s great for brainstorming.
Method | What It Does | Good/Bad |
Outline Method | Uses bullet points to organize ideas neatly. | Fast and simple. |
Cornell Method | Splits the page into parts for notes, cues, and summaries. | Helps with studying and testing. |
Boxing Method | Groups similar ideas into boxes for clarity. | Great for visual learners. |
Mind Maps | Starts with one idea and branches out to others. | Encourages creative thinking. |
Try these methods to see which one works best for you. The goal is to make your notes clear and easy to use. When you take good notes, you’re preparing yourself to do well in school.
Why Laptops Are Great for Taking Notes in College
Why Laptop Notes Are Helpful
Using a laptop for notes has many benefits. First, typing is faster than writing by hand. This helps you keep up when teachers talk quickly. You can also fix and organize your notes easily without starting over.
Another plus is keeping all your notes in one place. No need to search through notebooks or loose papers. Laptops let you search for words in your notes. This saves time when studying for tests by finding topics fast.
But, typing notes word-for-word might not help you learn well. Writing by hand makes you think and summarize ideas better. To improve, try typing only the main points instead of everything.
Avoiding Distractions and Eye Strain
Laptops can distract you during class. Social media and apps might take your focus away. To stay on track, turn off notifications and block distracting websites. This keeps your laptop as a learning tool, not a distraction.
Looking at screens too long can hurt your eyes. Adjust your screen brightness and take breaks to rest your eyes. Smaller screens, like tablets, can make it harder to focus. Laptops with bigger screens are better for long study times.
How Laptops Help You Stay Organized
Laptops make organizing notes simple. You can create folders for each class and color-code files. Adding tags helps you find topics quickly. This is harder to do with paper notes.
Laptops also let you save notes online. Cloud storage keeps your notes safe if your laptop breaks or gets lost. You can access them anywhere, which is great for group work or sharing notes.
You can also add pictures, charts, or audio to your notes. These extras make your notes more fun and easier to understand. For example, take a picture of a diagram your teacher explains and add it to your notes.
Top Tools for Digital Note-Taking
Best Note Taking Apps in 2025
By 2025, note-taking apps have become super popular. There are so many choices now! Most apps use the cloud, so your notes sync across devices. This means you can see your notes anytime, anywhere. Whether you use iOS, Android, or Windows, there’s an app for you.
Here are some of the best apps this year:
remio: Loved for its smart AI tools and easy organization.
Notion: Combines note-taking with planning and project tracking.
Evernote: A classic app with features like saving web pages and tasks.
Microsoft OneNote: Great for students using Microsoft Office programs.
Google Keep: Simple and perfect for quick notes or reminders.
Each app is unique, so pick one that suits you. Whether you like simple designs or advanced tools, there’s an app for everyone.
Features to Look for in a Note Taking App
Choosing an app can feel tricky, but focus on key features.
Here’s what to look for:
Feature | What It Does |
Easy to use | Lets you quickly add, edit, and organize notes. |
AI help | Apps with AI can summarize notes and organize them better. |
Works on all devices | Syncs notes so you can access them anywhere, anytime. |
These features make note-taking faster and easier. For example, AI can turn long lectures into short summaries. Syncing across devices means you won’t lose notes if you switch gadgets. Look for these features to get the best app for your needs.
How remio Enhances Note Taking for Students
If you want a great app, try remio. It’s made for students and helps with studying. Here’s why remio is awesome:
AI Summaries: It uses AI to shorten notes into key points. This is great for studying.
Neat Organization: Use tags, folders, and colors to keep notes tidy. Finding notes is super easy.
Data Privacy: 100% of your data is saved locally, and end-to-end encryption for cross-platform cloud.
remio isn’t just an app—it’s like a study buddy. It helps you stay organized and ready for school. If you want better digital notes, give remio a try!
Effective Ways to Take Notes on a Laptop
Using the Cornell Method Online
The Cornell Method is great for organizing and remembering notes. It works even better online because you can easily edit them. Split your screen or document into three parts: one for main notes, one for questions, and one for summaries. This setup helps you focus on key ideas and makes studying easier.
Why does this method work so well? Studies show that making questions and summaries in your own words improves memory.
For example:
Karpicke and Blunt (2011) found that testing yourself with questions helps you remember longer.
King (1992) showed that students who wrote their own questions remembered more.
Wittrock and Alesandrini (1990) proved that summarizing helps you understand better than re-reading.
When using the Cornell Method online, you can also add pictures or links to make notes more interesting. It’s a simple way to take better notes.
Outlining and Mind Mapping on a Computer
Outlining and mind mapping are great ways to take notes. Outlining is easy: use bullet points or numbers to organize ideas. Start with big topics, then add smaller details. Most apps and word programs have tools to help with this.
Mind mapping is great for people who like visuals. Start with one main idea and connect it to related ideas. Apps like MindMeister or Notion let you make colorful maps. These tools show how ideas are connected, making hard topics easier to understand.
Both methods help you organize notes clearly. This makes reviewing faster and helps you remember more. Plus, they’re fun to use!
Organizing Notes for Better Memory
Good notes aren’t just about writing—they’re about organizing ideas well.
Organized notes help you focus on what matters and make studying faster.
A study by Biggers and Luo (2020) found that guided notes help you remember more. When you work with your notes—by summarizing, highlighting, or adding questions—you remember better.
Here’s how to organize your notes:
Write a clear title and date for each class.
Use headings to separate topics.
Highlight important points or use bold text.
Add pictures or charts to explain hard ideas.
Organized notes save time and make studying less stressful. They are the key to taking great notes.
Tips to Stay Organized and Focused
Organizing Notes with Folders and Colors
Keeping notes tidy saves time and reduces stress. Use folders to sort your notes by class or subject. Inside each folder, make smaller folders for topics or projects. This helps you find things quickly.
Colors can make organizing even easier. Pick a color for each subject, like blue for math or green for science. Many apps let you highlight text or color-code folders. This makes it simple to spot what you need fast.
Here’s a tip: Name your files clearly, like “Math_Lesson1” or “History_2025.” This keeps everything neat and easy to search.
Reducing Distractions While Taking Notes
Distractions can make it hard to focus in class. Turn off notifications on your devices to stay on task. Apps like Freedom or StayFocusd can block websites that distract you. These tools help you pay attention better.
Studies show avoiding distractions helps you do better in school. For example:
Study Condition | Performance Outcome |
Distracted (Facebook, Instant Messaging) | |
Non-distracted (paper-and-pencil, laptop) | Scored higher than multitasking students |
No media use control | Best scores compared to media users |
Next time you want to check social media, remember staying focused helps you succeed.
Backing Up and Syncing Notes for Security
Losing notes before a test is awful. Backing up your notes can prevent this. Use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox to save your work. These services sync notes across devices, so you can access them anywhere.
Here’s why backups matter:
Statistic Description | Percentage |
People confident their backups are secure | |
Americans who’ve lost important data | 74% |
Groups recovering all data after loss | 42% |
Many people don’t check their backups, which can lead to problems. Test your backups often to make sure they work. Use apps with encryption to keep your notes safe from hackers. Protecting your notes keeps your hard work safe.
Post-Class Note-Taking Strategies
Reviewing and Revising Notes
Looking at your notes after class helps you remember better. Don’t just read them quickly—work with the ideas. Try explaining the lessons to yourself or linking them to things you already know. This method, called self-explanation, makes learning easier and helps you keep the information longer.
Another helpful way is the SQ3R method: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review. First, skim your notes to see the main ideas. Then, ask questions about the key points. Read your notes carefully, say the main ideas out loud, and check everything again. This step-by-step plan makes studying more useful.
Teaching someone else what you learned is also great. It helps you organize your thoughts and find what you don’t understand. Reviewing your notes over time, instead of all at once, helps you remember for longer.
Creating Study Guides from Notes
Making a study guide from your notes is super helpful for tests. Start by sorting your notes into sections by topic or chapter. Highlight important ideas, definitions, and examples. Then, write short summaries or bullet points for each part to make studying easier.
Stanford research shows study guides can boost test scores by one-third of a grade. Why? Organizing and summarizing notes helps you focus on key ideas. You’re not just reading—you’re learning actively.
Add pictures like charts, diagrams, or mind maps to your guide. These visuals make hard ideas simpler to understand and remember. The more effort you put into your guide, the better it will help you study.
Preventing Data Loss with Backups
Losing notes before a test is awful, but backups can stop this. Use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox to keep your notes safe and easy to find.
Follow the 3-2-1 rule for backups: Save three copies of your notes, use two types of storage, and keep one copy online. This protects your notes if your laptop breaks or gets lost.
Check your backups often to make sure they work. Use strong passwords and antivirus software to keep your files safe. These steps protect your notes and save you from losing your hard work.
Taking notes on a laptop can transform how you learn. The best way to take notes in college on a laptop is to combine the right tools, like remio, with proven methods, such as the Cornell Method. Experiment with these options to find what works best for you. When you develop strong note taking skills, you’ll create effective notes that make studying easier. Whether you’re writing on lecture slides or summarizing key points, good note-taking leads to better grades and less stress. Start exploring the best way to take notes today!
FAQ
How can I take better notes on my laptop?
Write down the main ideas, not every single word. Try methods like the Cornell Method or mind mapping. Keep your notes neat by using folders and colors. Add pictures, charts, or diagrams to make them clearer.
What’s the best app for college note-taking?
It depends on what you need. remio is great for organizing and using AI to summarize. Notion helps with planning and notes. Evernote is good for saving web pages. Test a few apps to find your favorite.
How do I stay focused while taking notes on my laptop?
Turn off notifications and block distracting websites with apps like Freedom. Sit somewhere quiet during class. Type only the main points to stay focused on the lesson.
Should I back up my laptop notes?
Yes! Use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox to protect your notes. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: save three copies, use two storage types, and keep one online. This keeps your notes safe before tests.
Can taking notes help me get better grades?
Definitely! Studies show that organized notes help you remember more and improve test scores. Reviewing notes often and making study guides makes learning easier and more effective.
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